Align [NEW YORK] announced the appointment of Vinod Paul as Chief Operating Officer. His experience includes being Managing Director of Eze Castle Integration’s (ECI), director of technical services for Martin Progressive as well as a management and engineering consultant to IBM Global Services, Lucent Technologies, Tyco Submarine Systems and Penguin Putnam Publishing.

HealthTrust [NASHVILLE, Tenn.] announced that it has appointed Paul Cummings Chief Operating Officer of InVivoLink, Inc., the company’s technology affiliate. Most recently, he worked at Healthways. Prior to Healthways, he worked in finance and employee services at HCA.

Instem [CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.] announced that MaryBeth Thompson has joined its executive leadership team to serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Prior to joining Instem, Thompson was Vice President of Global Regulatory Services at life sciences consulting firm PARAXEL International. Prior to PARAXEL, Thompson also held key senior regulatory management positions at AstraZeneca and Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories.

Pangaea Logistics Solutions, Ltd. [NEWPORT, R.I.] (NASDAQ: PANL) announced the appointment of Mark Filanowski to the role of Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. Filanowski was previously a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Marine Transport Corp., prior to his involvement in formation of Intrepid Shipping, LLC in 2002.

Coventry [FORT WASHINGTON, Pa] is pleased to announce today that Antonio Munizhas rejoined Coventry as its Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Muniz previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of an offshore private placement life insurance company. Most recently, Mr. Muniz was principal and founder of a strategic consulting firm.

Spotlight Innovation Inc. [URBANDALE, Iowa] (OTCQB: STLT), announced the appointment of Company director John Krohn as President and Chief Operating Officer. In connection with Mr. Krohn’s appointment, Cristopher Grunewaldhas stepped down as President and as a director of the Company. Mr. Grunewald will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer.

phData [MINNEAPOLIS] announced the appointment of Michael Cleveland as its new Chief Operating Officer, a new position within phData, effective immediately. Cleveland was most recently the Director of Strategy and Business Transformation at BIAS Corporation. Prior to that, he was a Managing Consultant for IBM Global Business Services.

SecondMuse [WASHINGTON] announced that Joel Carneswill join the company as Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Carnes served as the Vice President of Operations and Strategy at XPRIZE Beginning in 2010, Carnes served in various strategic management capacities at Disney Interactive Media Group, Walt Disney Imagineering and Activision.

Bluecore [NEW YORK] announced that former Datalogix and Oracle General Manager Rob Hollandhas joined the team as Bluecore’s first chief operating officer. After holding senior-level positions with Nielsen’s Retail & Shopper Practice, Product Management, Innovation Delivery, Retail Measurement and Retail Business Solutions teams, he joined the Datalogix executive team in 2011.

VPR Brands [FORT LAUDERDALE, FL] (OTC PINK: VPRB) announced it has appointed current Director of Alternative Products Daniel Hoff as its new Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Hoff previously worked in the vaporizer and e-cigarette industry serving in various positions at Vapor Corp.

SEI Group, Inc. [ATLANTA] announced the appointment of Trent Johnson to the role of chief operating officer. Prior to joining SEI, Johnson honed his expertise within the installation, construction and building industry at Masco and Service Partners, serving as vice president of operations of Masco Contracting Services throughout the Southeast and chief operating officer of Service Partners’ contracting division.

Coretelligent [BOSTON] appointed George Kostakos as its new Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. For nearly six years, he was General Counsel at OneForce Inc. He also worked for more than 20 years as outside counsel for a number of technology and other companies.

Nameberry named Todd Tarpleyto the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer. Tarpley comes to Nameberry from Time Inc., where he served for the past year as an Interim Digital GM. In addition to executive roles at two start-ups, Tarpley was Digital GM of Meredith Corp’s Parents Network. He previously served as VP Digital at Nielsen, AMC Networks, and A+E Networks.

ABRA Auto Body & Glass [MINNEAPOLIS] announced James Kesslerhas been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Kessler joins ABRA with substantial experience in the automotive space, spending 17 years in several senior leadership roles at Pep Boys. Most recently, Kessler served as President & COO for various private equity backed growth companies.

Conn’s, Inc. [THE WOODLANDS, Texas] (NASDAQ: CONN) announced within Retail, the Company has named Coleman R. (“CR”) Gaines as President and Chief Operating Officer. Gaines previously spent seven years at TMX Finance and was most recently the company’s Executive Vice President of Store Operations. Prior to TMX, Gaines spent eight years at Tractor Supply Company, working up to Divisional Vice President of Operations. Gaines began his career at Scotty’s Home Centers & Hardware Stores, working his way up over 13 years to Vice President of Hardware Stores.

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